Lassiter’s pedigree for top-tier compositions and arrangements and virtuosic trumpet playing have landed him gigs that include serving as Prince and New Power Generation’s horn arranger & section leader as well as credits working with Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande, Timbaland, Roberta Flack, and more. ‘Raw in Amsterdam’ is an extension of his accolades as it showcases Lassiter as a frontman and songwriter in the brand-new 12-song collection.
As an established fan favorite from Lassiter’s 2021 studio release ‘Live in Love,’ “Repent,” finds Bernarr putting a dazzling James Brown-esque personal touch on the lyrics originally recorded by mainstay LA vocalist Mackenzie. Filled with swaggering horn lines and energetic vocal chants, the tight-knit ensemble is displayed before launching into dexterous solos by Lassiter and Dulfer. Bernarr is hot off the heels of an NPR Tiny Desk Performance and was named as one of 2019’s “Artists to Know” by Billboard. His loud and proud stage presence complements Lassiter’s composition and arrangement abilities allowing both him and guest saxophonist Candy Dulfer to shine throughout the funk-fueled powerhouse of a track.
Lassiter enlists fellow Prince collaborator Candy Dulfer in the aptly titled tribute, “Purple.” Lassiter first connected with Prince in 2010 when he auditioned to be his horn arranger/section leader and landed the gig performing with New Power Generation. Like many of the late genre-defying master’s collaborators, Lassiter was inspired by Prince’s work ethic and dedication to experimentation. With its Prince-like driving quarter note groove and syncopated guitar and bass line, Lassiter helms a 15-piece ensemble in the live recording that embodies the spirit of Prince. The punctuated, shout-like horn melodies trade with layered vocal harmonies before an asserted horn soli launches into rounds of deliberate solos performed by Jordy Kalfsvel on keyboards, Lassiter on trumpet, and capped off with a powerful, extended solo by Dulfer on alto saxophone. Though Lassiter and Dulfer never performed with Prince at the same time (she was in his band during the 2003-2005 Musicology era), the two connected when Lassiter relocated to The Netherlands two years ago and have been collaborating together ever since.
“Bump the Man” originally appeared on Lassiter’s 2018 Party Crashers album. It’s laced with a “fight the power” message that points to hope and a positive mindset. It features blazing horns and soulful and another showstopping vocal appearance from Durand Bernarr as well as an unexpected Latin twist coming out metamorphic pre-chorus that nod to the Beatles’ psychedelic era. Dutch percussion legend Martin Verdonk is also featured throughout the track.